Texas League: Long balls from Spencer, Valdez pace 'Hounda

Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2009

TULSA, Okla. - The Midland RockHounds' Matt Spencer and Alex Valdez each hit home runs, and Kyle Middleton recorded six strikeouts in a 10-5 victory against the Tulsa Drillers on Sunday.

The RockHounds scored two runs each in the first, second, fifth, seventh and ninth innings. Spencer hit is eighth home run of the season in the first inning and Valdez launched his homer in the second inning.

Meanwhile, pitcher Middleton held the Drillers in check. Middleton threw seven solid innings, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

RockHounds' relievers Steven Sharpe and Justin Friend combined to give up four runs over the final two innings of the game to the Drillers.

Josh Horton, who hit his 20th double of the season in the seventh inning was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Spencer was 3 for 5 with the home run and four RBI, and Chris Carter continued his recent tear going 2 for 5 with three RBI.

The win didn't change the RockHounds' status in the Texas League South Division's Second Half standings. Frisco also won on Sunday and remains three games behind Midland.

The RockHounds go for their sweep of the Drillers in their three-game set at 7:05 p.m. today in Tulsa.

BENACKA PROMOTED:?Reliever Mike Benacka was promoted from Double-A Midland to Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the weekend and pitched a scoreless inning of relief with the RiverCats on Friday.

Justin Friend filled Benacka's spot on the RockHounds roster. The Oakland Athletics' 13th round selection in 2007, Friend made only one appearance at Sacramento before being sent to Midland. In 43 games with Single-A Stockton, Friend posted a 2.87 ERA.

Friend was college teammates with current RockHound Corey Brown at Oklahoma State.